Looking for a refreshing gin cocktail? The Bramble is a modern classic created in 1984 by legendary London bartender Dick Bradsell at Fred’s Club in Soho. A riff on the traditional gin sour, it combines gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur) for a bright, tart cocktail that’s perfect for summer.

This version comes from award-winning Canadian bartender Kaitlyn Stewart, the first Canadian and second woman to be named World Class Global Bartender of the Year. In her debut cookbook, Three Cheers, Stewart pairs 55 classic cocktails with both a creative twist and a zero-proof variation. Her Bramble-inspired Prickly Peach swaps in peach liqueur and Angostura bitters, while the alcohol-free Shrub A Dub Dub combines chamomile tea and fresh strawberries.

A clear glass filled with ice, red liquid and a blackberry on a skewer.

Classic Bramble Cocktail

Kaitlyn Stewart

This classic Bramble cocktail combines gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and crème de mûre for a bright, blackberry-forward drink that's ideal for entertaining.

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Ingredients

2 oz gin
1 oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
Ice
½ oz crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur)
1 blackberry for garnish

Instructions

In shaker tin, combine gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Add cubed ice and shake vigorously for 12 seconds.
Strain into rocks glass over cracked ice, and carefully drizzle blackberry liqueur on top. Garnish with blackberry.

Keyword blackberries, blackberry cocktail, crème de mûr, gin cocktail